Alexa, I thought of that but it seems that it may be harder to keep track of the different types of cookies that way...but that's just me...what do you all think? continuing to keep checking back for every post to see if it's a comment or another batch of cookies might get cumbersome for some. But then again, since we already started that way...it's a toss up.

Sorry it took me so long busy week. Okay, my first picture on the forum, hope it works! CRANBERRY-ORANGE DELIGHTS This is the original recipe but I did make several modifications which are noted below the recipe. 1 cup butter, softened 1 cup white sugar ½ cup packed brown sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon grated orange zest 2 Tbs orange juice 2 ½ cups all pupose flour ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp salt 2 cups dried cranberries ½ cup chopped walnuts For glaze: ½ tsp grated orange zest 3 Tbs orange juice 1½ cups confectioners sugar DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, cream butter, white and brown sugars until smooth. Beat in the egg until well blended. Mix in 1 teaspoon orange zest and 2 Tbs. orange juice. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt, stir into the orange mixture. Mix in cranberries and walnuts, if using, until evenly distributed. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheets. Cookies should be spaced at least 2 inches apart. Bake for approximately 1214 minutes in preheated oven until edges are golden. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks. For glaze: In small bowl whisk together ½ teaspoon orange zest, 3 tablespoons orange juice and confectioners sugar until smooth. Spread over the tops of cooled cookies. Let stand until set. My modifications: Mixing method: I used the melted butter method for these instead of creaming the butter and sugars together. I simply beat or stir the cooled melted butter into the sugars. Cookie dough additions: I added 3-4 tablespoons of chopped glaceed oranges to the batter. Id just gotten some as a gift for Christmas (thats why I made orange cookies) and I thought they would add a nice orangey touch, as they have a rich orange flavor. Used pecans, not walnuts, and toasted them. Glaze additions: I made the glaze with creamed cheese (beat in about 2-3 tablespoons with the orange juice, zest and flavorings) to give it more thickness, creaminess and body, added about a teaspoon of orange flavoring to it, a tiny pinch of salt and just a touch of lemon juice (the lemon is not necessary, I just wanted a bit more tartness and to bring out the flavor). Baking: I found 375 too fast an oven and over-browned my first batch. 350 degrees worked much better for me. If I had to make these again, I would use a little bit less sugar and/or either fresh chopped cranberries or unsweetened dried ones, since I missed the tartness of the cranberry flavor and found the cookies a bit sweet.

Nope not "whiskers" - but I think I found it...... I'm pretty sure it was "Helpers" but thanks for the offer! Alexa *********************************************************** Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of the Walnut Marketing Board. Easy cookies perfect for that jolly visitor. Santa's Little Walnut Helpers Topping: 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup sour cream 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 cup chopped California walnuts Dough: 1/2 cup butter or margarine 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar Icing: 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 tablespoon water Prepare Topping: In small mixing bowl stir together sugar, sour cream and cinnamon until smooth. Stir in walnuts; set aside. Prepare Dough: In mixing bowl bream butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla; beat until light and fluffy. On low speed gradually add dry ingredients, beating just until smooth. Divide dough into twelve equal parts. Roll dough into balls and place 3 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. With your fingertip, make a wide, round depression in the center of each cookie, reaching almost to the edges and leaving a rim. Fill depression in cookies with walnut topping, mounding fairly high above rims. Bake in 350 degree F. oven 15 to 20 minutes, until filling is set. Transfer cookies to rack to cool. To make icing, mix powdered sugar and water until smooth. Drizzle over rims of cookies. Makes 1 dozen cookies.

Thanks very much for your help everyone! I checked out the dessert exchange thread and also Robin's cookie exchange. A bunch of good ideas, now I just have to choose which recipe to make and how many rules I want to impose. Eileen, I found your Polish Tea Cookies, and they sound wonderful! They will definitely will be part of my Christmas cookie collection this year. You guys are great! Chris